Politicians to examine diversity in the talent pipeline

14 Oct 2022

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Creative Diversity has announced its next research project.

The cross-party group of MPs and Peers will examine diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline, with a focus on the 16+ age category.

Their work, delivered alongside partners including YouTube and King’s College London, will analyse formal tertiary creative education as well as programmes outside formal educational settings.

In doing so, the APPG aims to deepen understanding of the pipeline of new entrants from across the country and identify critical points for intervention to ensure the UK’s creative industries are inclusive and equitable. 

The project is expected to report in summer 2023 with recommendations for the creative industries, education providers and policymakers. 

Roundtables will commence virtually in the coming months with evidence also gathered through a global literature review, analysis of ONS data and online submission. 

The group is welcoming email submissions of evidence from those who can contribute "examples of what works" to support diversity and inclusion in the talent pipeline.

“Our creative industries will never reflect, nor benefit from, the full diversity of talent across the UK unless we address stubborn and systemic barriers to inclusion, including the vital issue of pathways, gateways and pipelines,” Co-Chair of the APPG Baroness Deborah Bull said.

Younger arts workers 'priced out of London'

13 Oct 2022

ArtsPay survey findings suggest workers in the capital are not being paid enough to cover the costs of living in London.

Pulse report: ArtsPay 2022

ArtsPay full report image
12 Oct 2022

It's been four years since our last ArtsPay survey to gauge the realities of earnings in the sector - four years of upheaval including Brexit, Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. We hope this latest report, from our editorial partners Baker Richards, together with analysis from the Arts Professional news team, contributes to the understanding of the state of arts pay in 2022.

Comments submitted to ArtsPay survey point to sector in crisis

04 Oct 2022

Respondents to the ArtsPay survey say the rising cost of living and historic low levels of pay are causing unsustainable working conditions and forcing people out of the sector.

Workplace discrimination in music sector on rise

Three female musicians perform on stage
29 Sep 2022

Survey finds levels of workplace discrimination have increased over the last four years, with female, ethnically diverse and disabled workers particularly affected.

What do teachers want from museums? 

Art Assembly 2019, Walthamstow
28 Sep 2022

A new report provides insights into what teachers need to help them use museums and galleries more in their practice, for the benefit of themselves and their pupils, as Sam Cairns writes.

Culture as a global public good

A cultural site being repaired with the support from the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund
28 Sep 2022

As UNESCO’s World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development takes place in Mexico, Stephen Stenning reflects on the vital role the arts play in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Arts websites 'reduce anxiety in young people'

27 Sep 2022

Study finds first clear evidence that online engagement with arts and culture has a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Attractions warned of ‘exceptionally tough’ 2023 

26 Sep 2022

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions warns that amid pressures on household spending, providing value for money to visitors is more essential than ever.

Research links wellbeing to heightened creativity

26 Sep 2022

Creative professionals with a positive emotional state are more likely to experience day-to-day feelings of creativity, according to research from Goldsmiths, University of London.

The study looked at a sample of 290 creative professionals who engage in at least 20 hours of creative activities per week. Over a two-week period, participants provided daily responses on their creative behaviours and emotions.

Results found those participating were increasingly creative in both their work and everyday lives when they felt a strong sense of wellbeing and positive emotions.

Researcher Kaile Smith said the motiviation for the research “stemmed from this belief that seems to permeate our culture that creative people are inherently troubled.”

“Our research finds that creative individuals have a highly adaptive psychological profile: the most creative individuals are more open, more conscientious, and have higher emotional stability as well as greater overall wellbeing.”

Study Lead Professor Joydeep Bhattacharya added that while the results suggest a strong correlation between creative behaviour and mental wellbeing, further research is needed to prove whether positive emotions ultimately lead to more creativity. 

“However, it is also possible that wellbeing and creativity are mutually reinforcing,” he said. 

Call to collaborate

Campaign posters
20 Sep 2022

As the Centre for Cultural Value (the Centre) re-opens its Collaborate fund, Alice Chandler reflects on the value of research partnerships between academics and the cultural sector.

ArtsPay survey indicates gender pay gap narrowing

20 Sep 2022

Survey suggests pay inequality between men and women is decreasing, but comparisons with 2018 data suggest that some wage increases could represent real-terms cuts.

AHRC to invest £100m in future technologies drive

20 Sep 2022

Funding will be used to establish a national studio for advanced technologies to drive developments in live theatre, music and visual art.

ACE plans to reduce emissions 25% by 2024

13 Sep 2022

Arts Council England has published its updated Environmental Responsibility Action Plan 2022-24, which details its goal of establishing a clearly defined pathway to net zero emissions by 2024, in line with the UK’s long-term Net Zero Strategy.

It also aims to reduce office energy use and business travel emissions by 25% by 2024, when compared to 2019/20.

The plan was developed in association with environmental partner Julie’s Bicycle, which helped complete a carbon footprint and environmental snapshot for 2019/20.

Based on what this revealed about ACE's environmental impacts, practice and performance, the updated environmental strategy will primarily focus on its operations and nine offices across England, taking into account limitations imposed by leasing office space and the impact of hybrid-working patterns.

The carbon footprint associated with touring and loaning works from the Arts Council Collection is also scrutinised in the new strategy, which includes a plan to rehouse the collection in a single repurposed building in Coventry, designed and operated to high environmental standards.

Other approaches to tackling emissions include instituting a minimum Energy Performance Certificate rating across all offices, updating the Cycle to Work scheme to include e-bikes, encouraging staff to use personal phones instead of company phones and transferring company pensions to ethical and environmentally friendly funds.

Ordering off-menu: skills to serve omnivorous audiences

Photo of people eating at restaurant
08 Sep 2022

We need to hone our skills in human-centred design, over and above those in tech or data, to make the most of post-pandemic digital/live appetites, argues Anne Torreggiani.

Cost of living enquiry to explore impact on fundraising

a woman visits an art gallery
06 Sep 2022

The enquiry is one of eight scheduled over the next two years that will consider challenges facing arts, culture and heritage fundraising.

‘Reality of Brexit’ for musicians survey opens

25 Aug 2022

The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) has opened a survey into the reality of Brexit for touring musicians.

The music body is calling on all musicians with experience touring Europe since Brexit to share their views. 

The survey intends to gather evidence in connection with the impact of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on musicians and the experiences of musicians working in Europe post-Brexit.

The ISM says the evidence provided will go towards informing its ongoing work with government regarding the impact of Brexit on musicians and form the basis of its next report.

The survey is available here.

Britons say music 'vital to mental health'

24 Aug 2022

More than 85% of British people believe music is an important part of maintaining positive mental health, a survey has found.

The survey, conducted by the app FREE NOW also found that two thirds of those polled see local grassroots music venues as a vital part of the cultural make-up of their hometowns.

Half the people surveyed said that music was a reason for their closest friendships and almost 84% said they had at some point been moved to tears by music.

Music was also seen as a key component of many people’s romantic relationships. Almost a third of respondents said that they had met their partners though a connection with music and 38% knew what song they wanted to play for the first dance at their weddings before even meeting their partners.

“The importance of music was never in doubt but it’s great to see confirmation of just how vital it is to people’s daily lives”, said Mariusz Zabrocki, General Manager of FREE NOW.

“We know more than most that live music has had an incredibly rough few years with the pandemic and incoming cost of living crisis.”

The app is set to partner with the Music Venue Trust for 120 gigs aimed at supporting struggling music venues across the UK in the next year.

“The grassroots music sector is facing incredibly tough times with the energy crisis and the cost of living challenges compounding the impacts of the pandemic,” said the trust’s CEO Mark Davyd.

“This survey demonstrates again how important these venues are and how much it matters to people, and it’s great to see companies like FREE NOW recognising that value with direct action campaigns bringing more music opportunities to more people.”

Public support payment initiatives for artists

24 Aug 2022

Poll suggests the majority of the public want government and technology companies to support initiatives to remunerate artists whose work is downloaded digitally.

Theatres receive funding to 'unlock their heritage'

23 Aug 2022

Two theatres in Bradford have received more than £180,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help them explore their history.

St George’s Hall, which opened in 1853, has hosted big names including Charles Dickens, Harry Houdini and David Bowie.

The Alhambra Theatre, built in 1913 and home to Bradford’s annual pantomime, has hosted acts such as Laurel and Hardy and Morecambe & Wise.

Yorkshire Live reports that the money will fund a a three-year project, starting this month, to develop and deliver “an extensive heritage activity programme”. The programme will look at, among other things, the lengthy history of pantomime at the Alhambra.

The cash comes from the Lottery’s Heritage Centre Stage activity programme. The Lottery says the funding will “unlock the heritage associated with Bradford’s historic city centre venues and engage with a range of people in the district”.

Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places said: “Culminating in 2025 when Bradford will be UK City of Culture, we are thrilled to receive this award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for our project; Heritage Centre Stage which will support a range of people from across the Bradford district to engage with the heritage in our fantastic, historic venues, in a way which has real meaning to their lives.”

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